Notice to quit: tenant notice letter for England

Quick answer

To end a private assured periodic tenancy in England, send your landlord or agent a written notice to quit. Check your tenancy agreement for the notice period: a landlord can ask for no more than 2 months, and if the agreement is silent you give at least 2 months. The tenancy should normally end on a rent due date or the day before. In a joint tenancy, one tenant’s notice can end the tenancy for everyone.

This guide is for tenants ending a private assured periodic tenancy in England under the current rules. A notice to quit tells your landlord or agent that you are ending the tenancy. Check your tenancy type first: other tenancy types and homes in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland have different rules. A valid notice affects your right to remain in the home, so confirm you can leave before sending it.

Check the notice period and end date

Check your tenancy agreement first: a landlord can ask for no more than 2 months’ notice. If the agreement does not set a notice period, give at least 2 months. You and your landlord can also agree a shorter period in writing. For tenancies that began before 1 May 2026, check the government’s transitional guidance and the existing terms rather than assuming an old fixed-term clause applies. The tenancy should normally end on the rent due date or the day before. Allow for the landlord receiving the notice, including printing and delivery time if posting. Continue to pay rent during the notice period unless a different arrangement is agreed. Written notice can also be sent by email or text; a postal letter is an option, not a universal requirement.

Check a joint tenancy before giving notice

For an assured periodic joint tenancy, one tenant’s valid notice can end the tenancy for everyone. Discuss the consequences with the other tenants first. A shorter notice period requires the landlord and all joint tenants to agree in writing. If some tenants wish to stay, discuss a new agreement with the landlord.

Prepare your notice

• Your name, contact address, and the landlord or agent’s name and notice address.
• The full rented property address and tenancy reference, if any.
• The date of your letter, the checked notice period and a valid tenancy end date.
• Your name and signature, plus a request to confirm receipt and arrange the checkout and key return.

Notice to quit letter example (England)

Replace every placeholder after checking your tenancy, notice period, receipt date and rent period. Get housing advice if the end date or joint tenancy position is unclear; the example does not determine the correct date for you.

[Your name and contact address]

[Landlord or agent name and notice address]

[Date] — [Tenancy reference, if any]

Tenant’s notice to quit — [full rented property address]

Dear [Landlord or Agent],

I give notice to end my tenancy of [full rented property address]. The notice period I am giving is [checked notice period]. The tenancy will end on [end date checked against the applicable notice and rent periods], and I will leave the property by that date.

Please confirm that you have received this notice and confirm the tenancy end date. Please contact me to arrange the checkout and return of the keys.

You can contact me at [contact details].

Yours sincerely,

[Your name and signature]

Post your completed letter

Keep a copy of the letter and attachments. Proof of posting, tracking and a delivery signature record different things; none alone establishes the contents or guarantees valid legal service. Before paying, check whether the available mailing service provides the evidence and timing your case needs. Upload your completed PDF or write your letter in MaisonMail. Enter the recipient’s full address: it determines the destination. Available services, estimated delivery and the final price appear before payment.